Quote from the True charm and power of Vedanta
Vedanta in Daily life
Then as we approach perfection the ways of our living become better and better, and by experience, we come to know that the best way of living is not to follow the dictates of a narrow and limited will, but to obey the universal Will, we start at first with a tiny little weak and thin thread of will, which grows stronger and stronger as we rise higher and higher in the scale of our life. Then gradually by passing through different stages of manifestations we gain more and more experience and begin to see how the thread of the individual will is connected with the universal Will, and slowly understand their relation, and ultimately realize that our will which we have so long thought to be ours is not ours, but part and parcel of that one universal will which is moving the universe from the minutest atom to the biggest solar system, and our bodies are nothing but so many small instruments through which that all-pervading Will is expressing itself. But as long as we do not realize this and think that our will is a separate will and is not related to the universal Will. We believe that by following our imperfect will we shall gain the highest benefit, but the result is suffering misery and sorrow which we experience in our everyday life. This idea of separation or mistaken notion makes us think that we are free, while in fact, we are bound hand and foot like a slave, and consequently, we do not seek freedom. How can we seek freedom when we do not know that we are bond? First of all we shall have to examine our own nature whether we are free or bound, and then we can search for liberation if we really need it.
Paryushan Parva, time for self-purification
By Dhanpal Solanki Jain
For both Shvetambar Jains, who observe Paryushan Parva over
eight days, and Digambar Jains, for whom it lasts 10 days, this annual Jain
observance is a time for introspection, reflection and purification. It is the
most appropriate time for all to get uplifted through fasting, meditation,
soul-search, awakening, self-study, courage and compassion and forgiveness for
all beings. Paryushan Parva is observed during the Chaturmas, also called
Varsha Yog. ‘Chaturmas’ literally means ‘four months’ in Sanskrit, during the
monsoon when Jain monks and nuns stay in one place and are available to the
community for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan is when, to improve karmas, adherents perform 12
kinds of austerities, including fasting. They also do swadhyay, and self-study.
The purpose of Paryushan is to stay close to your soul, reflect on your shortcomings, seek forgiveness for wrongdoings, remove internal corruption, and vow to live an ethical way of life. Daily recital of Bhaktamar Stotra, Navakar Mantra, meditation and prayer helps one look within and reflect on the teachings of the Jain tirthankars for guidance.
On the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavir, the 24th tirthankar, the 14 dreams his mother had before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other tirthankars and the rules of Paryushan.
Jainism is the Sramana tradition of India. Mahavir led a
socio-spiritual, non-violent reform movement. He rejected superstitious
practices, blind faith, caste system, gender bias, sati and discouraged animal
sacrifice. He encouraged ahimsa, compassion and scientific temper. Furthermore,
he did not preach, but practised his philosophy, and promoted a radical
economic, political and social justice movement based on complete equity.
Mahavir regarded all species of flora and fauna as integral
to a composite moral community. He emphasised the concept of jivdaya, animal
care and aparigraha, non-possessiveness, to protect biodiversity from human
greed and butchery. The fivefold Navakar Mantra is recited to offer obeisance
not to God but to Arihants, perfected beings; siddhas, liberated souls;
acharyas, masters; upadhyayas, teachers; and sadhus, renunciates. Jainism
promotes rational, scientific, compassionate, courageous and ethical way of
life based on complete equanimity and tranquility.
Rishabhdev, the first tirthankar, advocated women’s
education and their liberation. Bahubali, the elder son of Rishabdev, said, “Do
seva without discrimination” because all of us are experiencing dukh-dard,
pain, agony and suffering. Without paropkar, selfless service, bhakti and puja
remain incomplete. Bahubali promoted sports like wrestling and Hath Yog, to
stay healthy, fit and active.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari
Pratikraman, time for confession and seeking forgiveness as well as being
forgiving, enabling self-liberation. The ritual of seeking forgiveness from the
teacher is widened in scope to include family, friends and all living beings.
The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings
and also forgiving everyone including oneself.
The Jains seek forgiveness from everyone by saying ‘Micchami Dukkadam. ‘Micchami’ means ‘to seek forgiveness’ and ‘dukkadam’, dushkrut, means ‘bad deeds’. So, the meaning of Micchami Dukkadam is – if any of my thoughts, words and deeds have hurt you knowingly or unknowingly, I seek your forgiveness.
IF HE EXIST
I drive joy there was a doctor in
Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God.
Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued
that he was wasting 7 precious minutes on something, which he had been misled
into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that
I am wasting 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting
your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why
should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-
ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of
the week in Asia cup Sl captain 7 got
man of the match agsint india, Captain 7 team sl won asia cup, Pakistan no 7 got man of
the match on 7th September, , kualampur no 7 got a goal in afc cup ,
No comments:
Post a Comment